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Blue & White
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Canada
Ok, here goes.
I think we're going to Chicago for our summer vacay this year, so Canada is PROBABLY out of the question - but you guys make it sound so cool (duh, there are ketchup and gravy chips? ok, that's weird.) So here are some questions about Canada. Just in case we go next year.
1) My grandma is from Montreal. So is Montreal pretty cool? Actually, she's from Hicksville near Montreal. Her cousins are tobacco farmers up there somewhere. Except I think they're like 80 years old these days. So they might be retired.
2) Where's a cool place to go in Canada? Is it "near" the US? Because we'd probably be driving there.
3) What's crossing the border like? It sounds a little intense.
4) What are absolute MUST SEE things to do in Canada?
5) Is it better to use Canadian dollars in Canada or US dollars? For some reason, I think you can use both but that may be my lack of Canada knowledge.
For the record, no, I have not even been to the US side of Niagara Falls. So I'm pretty much a Canada virgin, I'd say. Except that my gma really did grow up there.
I think we're going to Chicago for our summer vacay this year, so Canada is PROBABLY out of the question - but you guys make it sound so cool (duh, there are ketchup and gravy chips? ok, that's weird.) So here are some questions about Canada. Just in case we go next year.
1) My grandma is from Montreal. So is Montreal pretty cool? Actually, she's from Hicksville near Montreal. Her cousins are tobacco farmers up there somewhere. Except I think they're like 80 years old these days. So they might be retired.
2) Where's a cool place to go in Canada? Is it "near" the US? Because we'd probably be driving there.
3) What's crossing the border like? It sounds a little intense.
4) What are absolute MUST SEE things to do in Canada?
5) Is it better to use Canadian dollars in Canada or US dollars? For some reason, I think you can use both but that may be my lack of Canada knowledge.
For the record, no, I have not even been to the US side of Niagara Falls. So I'm pretty much a Canada virgin, I'd say. Except that my gma really did grow up there.
I guess, to tell you the truth, I've never had much of a desire to grow facial hair. I think I've managed to play quarterback just fine without a mustache. - Peyton
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Canada
Life is good today.
There are lots of cool places to go in Canada, it all depends on what you're looking for. Quebec City is one of my favourite places, but it really isn't near the border.
I also love Vancouver/Victoria out in BC and Banff in Alberta.
You'd find lots to do in Ontario, and I find most of it to be pretty bunched up together. Toronto would be one place, but Stratford's a really pretty town (IMO) too.
Crossing the border really isn't that bad. But maybe I'm just used to it? It's more intense than it is crossing into some other countries, but it isn't that bad. Most of the time they just swipe your passport and ask you where you're going and what you'll be doing and you're on your way. As long as your passport isn't flagged for some reason.
Again, currency depends on where you are. Some of the bigger, more popular places and places near the border will take US currency but I think there are a lot of other places that would prefer Canadian. You can use your credit cards and maybe even debit? I know I used my debit in the US a couple years back, but I think it had an extra charge or something.
But like Beads said, you'd need to give us more info on what sort of vacations/scenery you really like to give us a better idea.
And I like mountains.
History is pretty cool too. And I'm in love with aquariums. I'm pretty easy to work with, frankly.
We had passcards. They're much cheaper than passports and are used for entering countries by land. So, only Mexico and Canada. You should check into that if you don't already have a passport.
Getting back into USA was an ordeal! It was a huge line and the guy grilled us! He looked in our car, second guessed us, tried to trick us into tripping up our "story", and then was just like "Have a nice day, bye!"...it was weird.
We really liked the Canadian grocery stores, I know it sounds lame. You can buy cool things there!
A few places we went to took USD, but I think thats because Niagara Falls is very tourist-y.
2) Any place with a lot of Canadian living in it is "near" the US border, about 75 percent of Canadians live within 100 miles of the border. There are tons of cool places to do, what are you into?
3) It all depends what crossing you go to.Some are quiet and some are really busy. I'm not going to lie there can be a wide range of experiences. As long as you have your proper documentation (you need a passport now to come here), an itinerary that doesn't sound questionable and no criminal record than you really shouldn't have a problem.
4) Your must see list will change based on what is important to you. You'll have to give me ideas in order to make suggestions. If you are a city person I'd recommend completely different things than if you are a country or outdoorsy person.
5) Canadian dollars are better. Although some stores accept US dollars the exchange rate is likely outdated. You shouldn't have a problem using credit or debit cards.
My Bio - updated 26/3/2011
[QUOTE]ok, how about like the east half? I always thought Prince Edward Island would be cool to go to. And I like outdoorsy stuff too, but I think I could get that in a lot of Canada. And we'd be going in the summer, because snow and I are NOT friends. And I like mountains. History is pretty cool too. And I'm in love with aquariums. I'm pretty easy to work with, frankly.
Posted by Blue & White[/QUOTE]
First, the east half is big, so you'll eventually want to narrow that down :) Or be prepared to a lot of driving because flying within Canada isn't cheap.
I have never been to PEI, but I've heard wonderful things about it. I've travelled in Nova Scotia though and absolutely loved it. Ask Paige for more info on that province.
In terms of mountains, the rockies are on the west coast but you'll still be able to find smaller ones on the eastern side of the country. Quebec is big for skiing so some areas there will work for you.
Hmm aquariums....the only ones I can think of are in BC but I can look into that for you.
Canada is full of history and you'll be able to get bits of that anywhere you go.
My Bio - updated 26/3/2011
The Rockies in Alberta are just stunning. I highly recommend Banff even though it is a tourist town.
The Maritimes are so pretty too. I do like PEI, but if you're looking for more things "to do" or "to see" there isn't a whole lot. It's much more of a scenery, walking around kind of place, IMO.
Do you want pictures? I've been to these places so I can post some if you like.
ETA: I agree with Hazel that places like Montreal and Quebec City are going to feel more European than North American. The language probably adds to the atmosphere too. Victoria is like that too, but in a British way.
And yea...our trip to Chicago this year is like a 14 hour drive. So we'll drive really far to get there but then chill in the city for a week or so. Last year, we drove 10-12 hours to upstate NY and Boston. It was kinda amazing. So our trips have a lot to live up to.
Now, we do plan our trips around visiting baseball stadiums, so I guess we'd have to see the Bluejays while we're in the Canada area
BUT, I just want to say, Canadians, you should really like the BlueJays now. They have Corey Patterson, who is my favorite outfielder behind Hideki Matsui. I was SO MAD the Orioles let him go. I still am a bit bitter
And how different is Canadian French from European French? Is it twangy? (For instance, I have a REALLY hard time with real southern accents in the US...I call them "twangy") I can speak a fair amount of French, but the twang might throw me off if we were to visit a French area.
[QUOTE]Oh, and pictures are awesome. I think that's my main draw to Canada - the pictures are so awesome! And how different is Canadian French from European French? Is it twangy? (For instance, I have a REALLY hard time with real southern accents in the US...I call them "twangy") I can speak a fair amount of French, but the twang might throw me off if we were to visit a French area.
Posted by Blue & White[/QUOTE]
Haha well, I wouldn't call it "twangy"... It is different though. They have different accents, but it's still French. I know some people tell me they can't understand them at all, but I've never had a problem with it or European French :)
I'll put some pics up in a bit, once I get a hold of some of them.
And maybe Toronto & Montreal in another trip (I know it's a pretty long drive between them, but I've got family in upstate NY we could visit on the way back too)
But I'm pretty excited to maybe try out my French with these non-twangy people
I think Montreal is pretty cool. By pretty cool, I mean very cool, although I've never been. I was planning to go about 4 years ago, but the plans fell through. There's a lot of history in Montreal, and is definitely worth seeing.
Crossing the border isn't bad at all. Just don't lie and you'll be A-OK. Oh, and have a passport. This is key.
Life is good today.
You won't have an issue being understood by them, but you will have an issue understanding them if you've never heard a Quebecois accent before. It's an adjustment.
Also, Quebec is the only unilingual French province so signs are not in English like they are in other provinces. Montreal is a mess to drive in, not because the signs are in French but because they poorly mark exits and you can exit on the right or left, the inconsistency catchs people offguard.
My Bio - updated 26/3/2011
[QUOTE]Also, Quebec is the only unilingual French province so signs are not in English like they are in other provinces. Montreal is a mess to drive in, not because the signs are in French but because they poorly mark exits and you can exit on the right or left, the inconsistency catchs people offguard.
Posted by Hazel_B[/QUOTE]
I just want to completely agree with Hazel on this. I perfected my highway driving in Montreal when I was 18. It really is <strong>that </strong>confusing. So just be prepared- but we made it out alive ;) You can take the train there as well.
My Bio - updated 26/3/2011
I stink at driving in traffic, but I'm the best navigator in the whole world.
Montreal was great. There's a ton to do (and it's not an aqualrium, but the Biodome was fantasitc). Also I'd highly recommend going to either Quebec or Montreal during a festival! We went during the High Lights Festival, and there was a Ferris Wheel, good food stands and live bands outside. Yeah, we froze our butts off, but it was so lively and there were tons of free things to do.
[QUOTE]Bren - Maybe you can tell me what your experience is but 4 marked anes of traffic in Montreal is actually 5 lanes of moving traffic. Atleast, that is the joke around here.
Posted by Hazel_B[/QUOTE]
Besides that (oh that's a joke everywhere I'm pretty sure) I really did find the exit signs confusing. I never knew when I was supposed to get off, and my grandpa (who was supposed to be navigating) only made things worse. He couldn't figure out the signs either. And it wasn't reading and understanding them that was the problem, it was that you never knew where to get off and when.
[QUOTE]I went to Montreal back in Feb, and just so you can estimate driving times, it was about 5 hours from Boston with no traffic (we left at 6pm, eek!).
Posted by kellylove22[/QUOTE]
We drove to Toronto from the Boston area...it was about ten hours with breaks D-:
I'm a huge fan of the Maritimes, I just love how welcome I always feel. That could be because we always visit family when we go, but it seems that most people are pretty welcoming and easy going - in NS at least.
I have lived in the Toronto area my whole life so I'm sort of "over" it, but there are definitely many things to do. CN Tower, Jays game, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Bata Shoe Museum, shopping, St. Lawrence Market, etc.
As PPs have said, you are best to use Canadian dollars or you will probably get crappy exchange rates and weird/confused looks from merchants.
Andplusalso: Nova Scotia is way cooler than PEI. Just FYI;)
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Canada is kind of like a whole other world with new things to discover that us americans only dream of. - Narwhal
Paige I would like to profess my love for you and your brilliant mind. - breezerb
Murried Bio
I'm from the South Eastern portion of NB which is part of the Maritimes. There is lots of culture here since we're the only officially bilingual province in the country and tons of history relating to the Acadian settlers. You'll hear 3-4 different dialects of french just within our small province. Northern NB is mostly all french as you get closer to the Quebec border. One of my favorite things about my area is Hopewell Rocks. It's part of Fundy Park (provincial park) and has the highest tides in the WORLD. Upwards of 30+ feet. When the tide is out, you can literally walk on the bottom of the ocean.
If you're thinking more central Canada, Quebec and Ontario are popular provinces to visit. Toronto is one of the most well known cities and I've been there a few times. It's nice if you like the city life. I much prefer somehwere like Quebec City, which is a bigger city but still has a small city feel to it. Downtown QC is amaaaaaaaaazing. It's the only walled city in North America and has a great charm to it. It's like a miniature France. There's also an aquarium there which we visited when we went on a camping trip last summer (plus wayyy more cool stuff to see including waterfalls, horse drawn carriage rides, etc. that i can't even think of off the top of my head). Tons of street merchants as well. Montreal can be fun as well, again im not huge on the city feel, but there's sooooo much culture. Tons of little bistros and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. There is also a place called the Biodome which is pretty cool too.
Canada is such a huge country, I've lived here for 23 years and haven't had time to explore it all! your best bet is to choose 2-4 places that are within a few hours drive of each other and plan to visit. By the way, Montreal isn't all "that" far of a drive from Toronto. I did it back in November and I think it took us about 3-4 hours which is not a bad drive at all.
Good luck, and I hope you find our vast land as beautiful and diverse as we do!